Alteration of common coagulation tests and thrombocytopenia represent an integral part of the clinical picture of patients with advanced chronic liver disease. As such, the International Normalised Ratio (INR) for prothrombin time is part of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, which is commonly used to assess prognosis and the need for liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis. Thrombocytopenia—being mainly related to hypersplenism and decreased synthesis of thrombopoietin by the liver—can also be used to identify the presence of portal hypertension and decreased liver function in patients with chronic liver disease.

Jaundice can be caused by abnormalities in any of the steps comprising the formation, metabolism and excretion of bilirubin. In addition, these processes may be functioning properly, but jaundice can be seen because of an obstruction of the biliary tree at any point, from its intrahepatic origins to its end at the ampulla of Vater. For this reason, it is clear that numerous conditions can result in jaundice. When faced with a patient presenting with jaundice a reasonable and careful diagnostic approach is, therefore, warranted to elucidate the underlying cause of this sign. Conventional wisdom may be that “jaundice by itself never killed anyone,” but it is imperative to find the cause as soon as possible, as prompt intervention saves lives in many cases.